1 Chapter 1

"... I fell in love with you that day , as you looked up at the crimson sky ... it was you who made me realize that if we make even the darkness shine , it will become a starry sky. Stop hiding your sadness behind a smile , coz every one of these twinkling stars will shine upon you ... " I mumbled as I stood at the squeaky metal gate and pushed it open. The ground was as bare as ever , with the exception of a few blotches of grass with dandelions laced between the blades of grass . I passed through the gates and walked towards the giant oak tree that was stationed a few feet in front of the metal gate that surrounded the plot of land. My feet walking the familiar path robotically.

It was the middle of May and was beginning to warm up. Loads would be happening this May like every other.

Seniors and Juniors would be having their prom in the first week of June , and they'd be getting ready to take bigger steps in their lives. May would be when everything came into ... judgement , did they work hard enough to pass and move on ? Or would they have to redo the same grade when we go back in September , after our break. It was too soon to tell. Nevertheless , positivity is key.

Well that's what I always go with anyway.

The wind picked up and blew some leaves and dandelion fluff along the ground. A few prayers from the handful of people that were here was heard while passing through.

"Hey princesa " I said once I got near the oak tree and leaned against its dark patchy bark , slipping my bag off my shoulders and placing my skateboard against it as I slid down the tree. I crossed my legs and placed my hands on my knees , then leaned forward and swiped my hand over the smooth grey stone planted in the ground. "So I have some homework to do later and some notes to make. Finals start next week so that's pretty fun. Mrs English gave us this last minute assignment thing , its mostly for a few extra points tho , kinda. It's either you write a poem describing a season as a person or we do a write up based on the ending scene from our 'Romeo and Juliet' , the write up would be easier for me , I'm not much of a poet."

I leaned back against the tree and looked up at the cloudy blue sky and remained like that for the next 15 minutes. "It might rain later" I added before getting off the ground and dusting the grass off my skinny denim jeans. "I'll be off now , I'll see you tomorrow , and I'll bring some flowers. Red and white roses right " I said as I placed my hand on the top of the tombstone. "I miss you Quinn , it's been so ... so rough. But I can't be all depressy about that , you'd come back to haunt me ." I swiped my hand over it and placed my forehead against it , careful not to lean on any pointy pieces . "Te amo" I whispered before picking up my bag and skateboard then slowly walking away.

"Ah , Miss Rosier , it's always so nice to see you" a familiar soft voice said. Faint footsteps trailing behind me.

I whipped my head around and looked over the short feminine figure. "Good afternoon Mrs Darius , looking fair as always" I greeted. It's been a few months since I've seen my 8th grade homeroom teacher. She played a huge part in Quinn's and my seventh year too . She used to baby us a little but that's only because Quinn was an absolute Angel and I uh ... .

"It's been so long. How's school going ?" She asked as she shuffled closer towards me.

Ah , avoiding why I'm here , not surprised. She already knows. "It's been decent so far. Not much has been happening. Finals start next week. How's it going for you Mrs Darius , how's the family ?"

"Hmm , they're all good Alex , the twins have been driving me insane. They don't call it terrible twos for nothing. And then Hazel has been a little stressed out about her math and everything , her finals start next week too ..." she trailed off.

"Ah wait , I can help with that if you don't mind. It's been really long since I've seen her . What are they doing ?"

Mrs Darius began telling me about the sections her little Hazel was struggling with and the day she'd be writing math.

"Aaahh 8th grade Math was a breeze , Mrs Darius. I especially loved when you took us for English literature on Fridays" I said stopping in front of her.

"Yes of course. I swear the only ones who paid attention to that class was you and Qui-" Mrs Darius stopped abruptly and shot me a weak smile.

"It's okay" I reassured her with a small smile back. "So , lemme know which days work for Hazel and I'll be there. This Sunday would be great if you'd like. Wait here's my number".

Mrs Darius took her phone out of her bag and handed it to me , "Thank you".

"Always a pleasure" I replied saving my name as a contact and handing it back. "It was really nice to see you again Mrs Darius. " I put out my hand in a formal hand shake.

"I'll let you know later Alexandra" she said shaking my hand and giving me a soft apologetic smile.

"Take care. " I smiled and removed my skateboard from under my left arm and held it with both hands as I walked out of the cemetery. "Bye Quinn" I whispered. I placed my skateboard on the tar surface and skated towards my next destination. The lil book cafe that had become sanctuary.

The wind blew my fringe out of my face and the cold breeze felt good against my bare neck and cheeks . I hummed to myself as I thought about what lead to me working at the book cafe.

~

"Quinn pleassee please please" I begged as I pulled on her arm and then the straps of her school bag . "Just for like 10 minutes and then we can go hommeee"

"Alex , this is the first time they're letting us go home alone and you really wanna risk going off route ? What is wrong with your dumbass ?" Quinn scolded as she tried to push me off her arm.

"Pleaaseeeeeee. Just 5 minutes then we can sprint home. I won't buy anything , I just wanna loook at it" I whined and let go , standing in a T-pose position in front of her.

Quinn straightened out her yellow sundress and crossed her arms. "5 minutes and an ice cream when we get back and it's a deal"

"Ah thank you ! I love you so much !" I yelled as I hugged her then dragged her little body towards the book cafe.

We got there in a few minutes and passed loads of stores I hadn't noticed before. We also noticed that the book cafe was between a candy store and a flower shop. Adorable.

"Aaahhh it's so pretty !" I exclaimed as we stood at the display window and looked into the cafe.

In front of the display window a desk spaced out in front of it. As though it was built from the wall.

"Let's go in" Quinn instructed cheerfully as she held out her hand for me.

I grabbed it and smiled before I dragged her into the cafe.

The front of the store consisted of a small cafe area in front of the door which was a rectangle shaped desk that was pushed up against the side of a wall. It had a sink , a cash register and a glass cabinet for all the fancy cups and mugs they used. Near the cash register there was small cakes and finger bites. At the end of the room there was these large book shelf's that lined the back wall , with the exception of a staircase that was in the corner , and adjacent wall leading up until the display window . In front of the wall in the back there were smaller book cases and just boxes of books.

"It's breathtaking" I gasped as I looked around.

"Times up. We'll come check it out another time" Quinn said pulling on my backbag. "You owe me ice cream when we get back"

"Come again" the nice lady behind the cash register said with a smile as she watched Quinn drag me out.

"We will !" I yelled enthusiastically.

"Ice cream" Quinn demanded poking my arm and dragging me home.

~

"Hey Mrs Owen !" I greeted happily as I picked up my skateboard and stood at the door of the cafe.

"Oh Alex , how was school sweetie ?" Mrs Owen replied warmly as she walked towards me and gave me a quick hug and chaste kiss on my forehead.

Uhm okay , it's been a while since that happened. "Pretty cool , we didn't have last period so I left and not much work to do at home either. Finals next week so studying too ." I smiled and walked with Mrs Owen towards the cash register.

"Go on up and change , I'll talk to you when you're done" she instructed as she took out a few mugs and placed them on the white marble table , the little space next to the sink in the corner.

"Alrighty" I replied walking towards the staircase behind the marble countered desk and next to the book cases that lined the back wall.

The steps were different shades of brown wood and so were the handrails. The upstairs was easily a bit bigger then the floor below which kinda made sense. The upstairs occupied by the store room , Mrs Owens office , a locker room , a bathroom and another store room just for books and shelves that we haven't sorted out as yet. The stairs led to a passage that had 2 rooms on the left (Mrs Owens office and the store room for books) and 3 on the right (the locker room , a bathroom and the other store room that had all the perishables and utensils.

"I suppose some nachos would be nice later" I mumbled as I walked towards the end off the passage and into the locker room. I gazed around the room which filled 2 walls with lockers while the other wall had a some hooks and a mirror. In the middle of the room there was a wooden bench that was spotted with different variants of whites and browns.

I walked towards my locker in the corner and packed my bag and skateboard into it once I unlocked it. I located my grey 'Orphic book café' hoodie that was neatly hung on the hooks near the mirror. God , I'm so grateful to Mrs Owen for putting it away.

I smiled slightly as I pulled off my black hoodie , tucked it into my locker then pulled the grey one over my head. I finished up and hopped down the stairs while tying my hair into a loose ponytail and tucking my fringe behind ears while readjusting my glasses.

"Hey Alex , can you go to Maddie's real quick , here's a list and some cash. I just need a few things for later dear" Mrs Owen said handing me a few notes and a list.

"I gotchu" I replied taking the money from her and going over to the next door candy store to pick up some stuff.

"Hey Maddie !" I greeted as I walked into the store. Passing a tall curly haired stranger on the way in.

~~~